We are appalled by the disregard for, and loss of, civilian life in Palestine and Israel as a result of the escalation in hostilities between Israeli armed forces and Hamas and other Palestinian groups that started on 7 October. Since then, Israel’s brutal retaliation in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, and dehumanising statements by Israeli officials, indicate that the Israeli counter-response is increasingly motivated by revenge and a desire to inflict collective punishment in a manner that may amount to genocide of the Palestinian people. 

INOVAS strongly condemns war crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated in Israel and Palestine and calls on all involved parties and the international community to work to end hostilities immediately to protect all civilians. In addition, it is the responsibility of UN bodies and member states to take action to investigate current crimes, hold all parties to account for violations of international law and ensure that victims and survivors’ rights to justice and accountability are protected.

 

Background: Unprecedented violence

The latest hostilities began on 7 October when Hamas launched an unprecedented cross-border attack on southern Israel from the Gaza Strip, resulting in devastating casualties among civilians and the capture of around 200 hostages. In retaliation, Israel launched a brutal campaign of bombardments on Gaza, targeting civilian infrastructure and residential areas. Two days on, a complete siege was imposed on Gaza, completely cutting off citizens from vital supplies. The 17 October atrocious bombing of the al-Ahli Hospital that killed hundreds only underscores the immense risks faced by civilians in the strip. Already, thousands have been killed, including hundreds of women and children, while up to one million Palestinians have been forced to flee their homes. Israel’s ongoing threats of an all-out ground invasion of Gaza and the continued siege both amount to acts of collective punishment, illegal under international law. Unprecedented attacks on civilians, Israeli officials’ rhetoric, and attempts to displace millions of Palestinians outside of Gaza all suggest that ongoing Israeli attacks are being pursued in a way that may amount to genocide.  

 

From double standards to lasting solutions

The international community’s responses have been characterized by double standards that do little to end violence, let alone address its root causes. Recent statements by European and US political leaders expressing unconditional support for Israel’s purported “right to defend itself” stand in stark contrast with their responses to Ukraine’s struggle against Russian occupation and invasion. Initiatives from the EU and member states to halt humanitarian funding to Palestinians also belie a crucial disregard to causes of the conflict. 

Clearly, Hamas’ horrific attack did not take place in a vacuum. Ongoing hostilities occur within the context of Israel’s prolonged, belligerent occupation of Palestinian territory, the unabated construction of settlements and transfer of settler populations into the West Bank, as well as the 16-year-long blockade of the Gaza Strip, which transformed Gaza into an open-air prison where residents face severe restrictions on their freedom of movement and systematic limitations on access to food, medicine and electricity—much of which is controlled by the Israelis. Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory is unconscionable and untenable, and any attempt to end the current hostilities must involve fully dismantling the occupation and apartheid regime imposed on Palestinians. Until that happens, as an occupier, Israel has a duty under international law to protect the Palestinian population and respect Palestinians’ human rights. 

In addition, the international community must shift from short-termist security responses and instead promote long-lasting policies that genuinely work towards a positive peace that respects justice and accountability and Palestinians’ right to self-determination. States, UN bodies and other international actors can do this by:

  • Calling for an immediate end to hostilities, and halting any Israeli plans for a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, which may amount to genocide and would have catastrophic and long-lasting impacts for 2.3 million civilians inside the enclave.
  • Pursuing human-centred concepts of security rather than those only defined by counter-terrorism approaches, recognizing that concepts of “freedom from want” and “freedom from fear” are experienced in radically different ways by Israelis and Palestinians.
  • Comprehensively addressing humanitarian needs in Gaza: first, by allowing humanitarian aid to assist civilians and then working to lift Israel’s 16-year-old siege of the besieged enclave.
  • Applying international human rights and international humanitarian laws impartially to all parties involved in the conflict. In pursuing justice and accountability for all victims, it is essential to recognize Israel’s military superiority and the implications this has on current and historic conflict dynamics.
  • Ending unjustified delays by the ICC prosecutor in investigating and prosecuting international crimes committed in Palestine.  

For far too long, occupation, apartheid and structural impunity have ensured that victims do not enjoy their right to justice. The time has come for the international community to act with courage to achieve accountability and address root causes that are causing consistent and repeated violations of international law in the region.

Co-signed by Impunity Watch

Photo credit: Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa